52002XC0713(07)

Communication on the consequences of the expiry of the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) on the international agreements concluded by the ECSC

(2002/C 168/13)

By virtue of Article 97 thereof, the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) will expire on 23 July 2002.

The ECSC has concluded a number of bilateral agreements that do not provide for the eventuality of the expiry of the ECSC Treaty.

The Commission has proposed the following approach:

1. The representatives of the governments of the Member States meeting within the Council would decide that, as from 24 July 2002, the rights and obligations arising under the international agreements concluded by the ECSC should be taken over by the European Community.

2. The Council of the European Union would also decide that, as from 24 July 2002, the European Community (EC) should succeed to the rights and obligations flowing from the international agreements concluded by the ECSC with third countries.

3. These Decisions would enter into force on the day following the day of their publication in the Official Journal. These Decisions would apply as from 24 July 2002.

4. Once these Decisions have been adopted the Commission of the European Communities would inform the third countries concerned about the succession of the EC to the ECSC's rights and obligations flowing from the agreements concerned. It would furthermore undertake all necessary technical amendments in order to make the agreements compatible with EC rules, and would, where appropriate, negotiate amendments to the agreements.